Photos for January 2014

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
The Columbiana Chamber of Commerce recently presented Ace Hardware owners Dave and Cindy Coie with the Chamber’s Presidents Award for their dedication, support and commitment to Columbiana and Fairfield Township. They received the award at the Winter Business Showcase, which took place Jan. 23. To submit a nomination for consideration visit the chamber website www.columbianachamber.com under the events tab.

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
The Hine Memorial Fund of the Youngstown Foundation has awarded a $15,000 grant to the Children’s Dyslexia Center of Youngstown for its Sponsor-A-Child program. The funds will subsidize three children for one year of tutoring in the Orton-Gillingham Multisensory Structured Language Program. Above, from left, are Ronald E. Gordon, chairman of the Dyslexia Center Board of Governors; Crissi Jenkins, Hine Fund program coordinator; and Dorothy Tesner, center director.

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
Promoting the 10th annual champagne brunch and fashion show planned Feb. 28 by Mahoning County Medical Society Alliance are, seated from left, Cassi Calderon, Katie Altenhof and Susan Yarah, and standing, Carol Sankovic; Patrick Sankovic, who will be among the models; and Gloria Detesco.

Warren JFK graduate Jason Kokrak hits out of the sand on the ninth hole during Round 1 of the Phoenix
Open on Thursday in Scottsdale, Ariz. Kokrak shot a 66 for the day to finish two shots off the the lead at 5-under.

Lakeview senior Alli Pavlik (15) goes in for a layup while being defended by Liberty’s Sabrina Francis (21) during the first quarter of their game Thursday at Lakeview High School in Cortland. The Bulldogs downed the Leopards, 86-43, to remain undefeated. Pavlik had a game-high 25 points and had 12 steals, which broke the record of 11 set by Sandy Stocz in 1989.

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
Mount Zion Baptist Church, 827 Wilson Ave., Youngstown, will be the site of a benefit dinner for Viola Clark, nicknamed Teddy, who was diagnosed with leukemia last year. The dinner has been arranged to help support Teddy and her husband, Kenny, as she faces a bone marrow transplant at the Johns Hopkins Cancer Center in Baltimore. The donation for the dinner is $10, and there will be a basket auction. Donations can be made to The Viola (Teddy) Clark Leukemia Fund at any Huntington Bank location. For information call Kimberly Williams at 330-599-1262 or Cookie Gore at 330-743-0800.

Basketball fans enter the Canfield High School gym to watch Wednesday’s game between the Cardinal boys and Howland. The recent cold snap has caused numerous school across the Valley to close and cancel many of their
sporting and club events.

Youngstown State’s Karen Flagg shoots a jump shot over Detroit defenders Haleigh Ristovski (2) and Senee Shearer (23) during the first half of Wednesday’s game at YSU’s Beeghly Center. Flagg had a career-high 26 for the Penguins, who downed the Titans, 80-71, and are 6-0 in Horizon League play.

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
Struthers High School graduates Kalea Hall, left, and Emmalee Torisk, reporters for The Vindicator, were guest speakers at the Jan. 21 meeting of the Struthers Rotary Club. Rotarian Tom Baringer is on the right.

The Cavaliers’ Luol Deng, left, drives around the Pelicans’ Al-Farouq Aminu during the first quarter of their
NBA game, Tuesday at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. Cleveland fell to New Orleans, 100-89. Deng, who
has been slowed by an injured Achillies, scored only six points.

Jason Kokrak watches the flight of his golf ball off the first tee during Round 3 of the Sony Open in Honolulu. In the midst of his third full year on the PGA tour, Kokrak, a Warren JFK grad, has developed a comfort level both on and off the course that he feels will help lead him to his first Tour win.

Hemp chef Derek Cross helps harvest hemp during the first known harvest of the plant in more than 60 years in Springfield, Colo. The federal farm-bill agreement reached Monday reverses decades of prohibition for hemp cultivation. Instead of requiring approval from federal drug authorities to cultivate the plant, the 10 states that have authorized hemp would be allowed to grow it in pilot projects or at colleges and universities for research.

Seattle running backs coach Sherman Smith, center, talks with Seahawks backup quarterback Tarvaris Jackson (7) and fullback Michael Robinson (26). Before he was a coach with his second Super Bowl team … before he spent eight years as an NFL player … before he won three Mid-American Conference titles as Miami’s (Ohio) first black quarterback, Smith was a Youngstown teen who couldn’t see past the city limits.

Bob Richardson, center, works with Sgt. Don Coppola of the Lowellville Police Department, left, and patrolman Patrick Campbell of the Struthers Police Department during an eight-hour law enforcement training session at Lowellville City Hall on Tuesday. Richardson, a law enforcement training officer with the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy, was one of two instructors at the session, which was intended to help officers more safely and efficiently conduct building searches.

Bill Strimbu, president of Nick Strimbu Inc. and a founder of the Strimbu Memorial Fund, received a check for $22,000 from Melissa Scheffler of Chubb Insurance. A team sponsored by the HDH Group placed seventh in a national golf tournament and donated its winnings to the Strimbu Fund. From left to right are Steve Leon, HDH Group; Jim Grasso, Liberty Steel and vice president of the Strimbu Fund; Strimbu; Scheffler: Paul O’Brien of Rien Construction and president of the Strimbu Fund; and Joe Totten of the HDH Group.
SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR

Dr. Y.T. Chiu uses a cleaver to chop up a roasted duck while Wendy Owens, left, and Beverly Italiano watch.
He and his wife, Marilyn, presented “From the Garden: Chinese New Year” at Fellows Riverside Gardens.

After missing the first month of the season with a foot injury, YSU senior guard Monica Touvelle has helped spark
the Penguins to an 8-3 record over the last 11 games, including 5-0 in the Horizon League.

Norm Capp of Youngstown, bundled up as he braves the conditions Monday, uses a snowblower to clear a friend’s driveway on Chaney Circle in Youngstown. Today’s high temperature is expected to be 2 degrees with wind chills as low as 28 below zero.

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
Holy Family School of Poland, a Lumen Christi Catholic School, recently featured its spelling bee in the school gymnasium. From the left are eighth-grader Meredith Lea, first runner-up; Kathleen Stoops, principal; and sixth-grader Audra Pesko, spelling bee champion. Audra had to correctly spell “controversy” and then “environment.” Audra will represent Holy Family at the Vindicator Spelling Bee on March 15 at Youngstown State University.

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
Home Savings Charitable Foundation recently donated $10,000 to the Animal Welfare League of Trumbull County for its building campaign for the new shelter in Vienna. The new shelter will include adoption rooms, areas for medical care, quarantine, isolation and maternity wards and areas for training and behavior. It will be an accredited Veterinary Technician Program in partnership with Kent State University. From left to right are Jeff Williams, D.V.M. and board president of Animal Welfare League of Trumbull County; Nancy Jastatt-Juergens, AWL board member; Andrew Nemergut, retail manager, Home Savings Eastwood office; Traci Vigorito, retail manager, Home Savings Howland office; Rufus Sparks, AWL board treasurer; and Caryn Covelli, AWL board member.

Mineral Ridge’s Corey Phillips looks for a way around Crestview defenders Eric Lloyd (42) right, and Collin
Gilbert, back, during their game Sunday at the annual Laricca’s “See Them Rise” High School Basketball
Showcase at the Covelli Centre. The Rebels rallied in the second half behind Josh McDade and Evan Beachler,
but came up short against the Rams, losing 57-47.

Brendan Baugher of Southington poses with the Curbstone Coaches’ Byrd Giampetro Scholarship Award during
ceremonies at their annual all-league football recognition banquet Sunday at The Georgetown in Boardman.

Ilisabeth Hernan, 6, of Poland fills a bowl with a traditional chili Sunday for Tim Hardy of Youngtown during the 4th Annual Sue Hernan Chili Cook-Off at Boardman United Methodist Church. Ilisabeth is a granddaughter
of Sue Hernan, who died in a drowning accident.

Struther’s Austin Yemma guards East’s Rashawn Boykin during the second period of their game Sunday at
the annual Lariccia’s “See Them Rise” High School Basketball Showcase at the Covelli Centre. Boykin had 15 points and six rebounds for the Panthers, who edged the Wildcats, 60-57.

Canfield High senior bowler Tyler Frklech rolled a perfect game during a match against the Howland Tigers on
Jan. 13 at Wedgewood Lanes in Austintown. It was Frklech’s first 300 game and only the second for the Cardinals,
the first being when Mike Decoli rolled a 300 against Struthers on Feb. 8, 2013.

Jim Warren, owner of 101 Livestock Market, conducts a cattle auction in Aromas, Calif. California’s worsening drought is forcing many ranchers to sell their cattle and other livestock because their pastures are too dry to feed them, and hay is too expensive to buy.

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
Justin Lemmon, left, was the Junior Race winner on Jan. 1 at the Olde Dutch Mill Golf Course 5th Annual Duck Race in Lake Milton. He attended with his grandfather Bill Lemmon.

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
Austintown Rotary met recently to plan its annual reverse raffle scheduled for March 8 at the Maronite Center. Raffle leaders, from left, are Tracy Kaglic, chairwoman of the basket auction; Deanna Spirko, chairwoman of tickets; Mark Cole, president; and Mike Cafaro, chairman of the committee.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, left, and Gov. Rick Snyder listen to a speaker at the IDEAL Group on Thursday in Detroit. Snyder announced a plan to ask the Obama administration to set aside thousands of work visas to entice talented immigrants to live and work in bankrupt Detroit. The Republican governor said he is seeking 50,000 work visas solely for the city over five years.

Youngstown State’s Kendrick Perry puts up a layup over Valparaiso defender Lexus Williams during their game Thursday at YSU’s Beeghly Center. Perry was one of four Penguins in double digits, but YSU fell, 74-71, to the Crusaders.

The Cleveland Browns new head coach Mike Pettine, left, poses with owner Jimmy Haslam after being introduced to the media Thursday in Berea. The former Buffalo defensive coordinator met with team officials three times in the last week before finalizing a contract Thursday. He is the Browns’ seventh full-time coach since 1999.

Bowling Green defensive back Cameron Truss delivers a hit on San Jose State’s Ina Liaina, forcing a fumble
during the 2012 Military Bowl at RFK Stadium in Washington. For the past three weeks the LaBrae High graduate has been in Fort Wayne, Ind., at the Athletes With Purpose training facility prepping for March’s NFL Draft.

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
The Black and White Snowflake Ball will take place from 6:30 to 11 p.m. Feb. 1 at the Regency House, 304 Mahoning Ave., Austintown. The Epsilon Mu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is sponsoring the event, So You Think You Can Dance. Tickets will be $45 for dinner and dancing. Proceeds will support the scholarship fund and community outreach programs of the sorority. On the planning committee from left to right are Annie Constant, president; Sandra Smith-Graves, chairwoman; Alnita Bryant-Russell; and Mary Lois Gross. Carole Prestley also is on the planning committee. For tickets call Smith-Graves at 330-746-8517.

A McAllen Police detective collects credit cards that were confiscated by police after arresting a man and a woman on fraud charges Monday in McAllen, Texas. According to a South Texas police chief, the suspects used account information stolen during the Target security breach to buy tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise, but a spokesman for the U.S. Secret Service said Tuesday that an investigation is ongoing into the possibility of a link between the Target data breach and the arrests.

The Youngstown Phantoms’ Josh Melnick moves the puck from behind the net against Indiana Ice defender
Joshua Jacobs during the annual “School Day Game” Wednesday at the Covelli Centre in Younstown. The
Phantoms fell 7-4. It was the sixth time the two teams have faced one another and the fifth win for the Ice,
who are in first place in Eastern Conference standings.

Former Warren Harding and Ohio State football standout Maurice Clarett, right, addresses the audience during a speaking engagement Wednesday at The Riot youth center of Victory Assembly of God in Coitsville. Over 150 youths from northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania attended the event, which was sponsored by Victory Revolution Youth Ministry, which is headed by Pastor Nate Ortiz, left, a friend of Clarett.

Chris Litton of Youngstown and his son Jack, 6, were among the few hardy souls who braved the brutal weather to watch the Youngstown Phantoms take on the Indiana Ice at the Covelli Centre in downtown Youngstown at the local hockey team’s annual School Day Game. The weather caused many schools to cancel classes, and few students were able to make it to the center for the 10:15 a.m. contest Wednesday. The Phantoms have set another School Day Game for March 21, when the home team will skate against Team USA.

Posing with school-supply bags to be distributed to students in Campbell City Schools are members of The Michael “Mickey” Soroka Charitable Foundation, from left, Eric Gonzalez, holding son, Gavin, 4; Carmel Gonzalez, Eric’s wife, holding their daughter, Elena, 1; Jennifer Kavouras, Rena Regula and Andrea McGoogan. Foundation members gathered Wednesday to fill bags to be distributed district wide Friday, weather permitting. The foundation was founded to carry on the legacy of Soroka, a Campbell High School teacher who went out of his way to help students whether they were enrolled in his classes or not. Soroka died in 2011 at age 49.

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR:
Candidates for the 2014 Vigil Honor were announced at Wapashuwi Lodge’s Order of the Arrow banquet. From left to right are Chris Leymarie of Boy Scout Troop 60 in Boardman; Noah Bokansky of Troop 99 in Newbury, Ohio; Linny Harden and Debi DeConcilus of Troop 31 in Niles; Clayton Burrows of Troop 100 in Hubbard; A.J. Gioglio of Troop 101 in Struthers; and Terri Andrews of Willoughby, Ohio, a committee member of the Headwaters District.

Diane Less, a co-founder of Angels for Animals in Beaver Township, comforts a Maltese mix after the dog underwent a spaying procedure. Angels for Animals is promoting Ban the Big Bellies 5, a World Spay Day event that offers low-cost procedures for pet owners who meet guidelines and others with financial need.

Campbell Memorial guard George Billiris grabs a rebound over the head of Canfield forward Mason Mangapora
during the third quarter of their game Tuesday at Canfield High School. The Cardinals downed the Red Devils, 77-59. Canfield outre bounded Campbell, 41-26, and was more successful at free throws — 26 overall on 36
attempts.

A source confirmed Tuesday that the Cleveland Browns met with Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Mike Pettine for a second interview about the head coaching position. The meeting took place in Mobile, Ala., and lasted four hours, but no offer was made.

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
An all-female motorcycle club, Dangerous Curvez MC Inc., made up of 12 professional women, was established in 2004. Each year they host fundraisers for a worthy cause. This year they chose to donate their proceeds of $500 to the Sojourner House. From left to right are Baybdol, vice president of Dangerous Curvez; Audrey Brown, representative of Sojourner House; and Mz. Hypnotic, president of Dangerous Curvez.

Rick Tunison, a vet tech at the Mahoning County Dog Warden’s office, holds Sunny, one of the dogs at the pound. Friends of Fido, a nonprofit organization that works with dogs at the pound, is conducting a fundraiser, “For The Love of Dogs, Valentines to the Pound,” and is asking people to send in valentines with at least a
$1 donation inside to dogs at the pound. The event runs through Feb. 14.

Oliver R. Montgomery Sr., third from left, receives the Trailblazer Award from Ulysses Rucker, left, post commander of the Donald Lockett VFW Post 6488 in Coitsville Township; and Sandra Smith-Graves. The award is given annually by the post and its auxiliary.

Sophomore Ryan Weber is averaging 10 points and four rebounds a game for the Youngstown State men’s
basketball team, which has won three straight Horizon League games after an 0-2 start. The Penguins will play host to Valparaiso on Thursday and Wright State on Saturday in the final two games of a four-game homestand.

Tony Jameson, of Austintown Fitch, hugs his coach, Brett Powell, after winning the Division I 145-pound championship during the 71st annual state wrestling tournament at OSU’s Schottenstein Center in Columbus. Powell will go for his 250th dual meet victory on Wednesday.

william D. Lewis The Vindicator Musicians from left: Doc Holiday, bass, Robert "New York" Evans and Howard Howell play during a Friday night Jam Session at popular longtime jazz club , Frieda's on Y-towns Northside

william D. Lewis The Vindicator Frieda Anderson Martin owner of popular longtime jazz club , Frieda's on Y-towns Northside hold a photo of local musician Boogie D who helped her get live music started at the club.

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
Students and staff members at Hubbard’s St. Patrick School, a Lumen Christi School, collected household and personal care items for donation to Beatitude House. Students delivered the items and stocked the shelves to enable Beatitude House to continue to help those in need. In the front, from left to right, are Michael Hamad, Simon Yesh, J.J. Scarmuzzi and Jordan Serrano. In back are Cooper Muccio, Treshaunti Brown, Daniella Hosack, Giavanna Hosack, Katie Cigolle and Ryan Baytosh.

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
The Rotary Club of Youngstown welcomed its newest member, Carol Rimedio Righetti, Mahoning County Commissioner, above, at its Jan. 8 meeting. She is the first new member of 2014. Righetti was welcomed to the club by Scott Schulick, president, on the right, and her sponsor is Richard Hahn, on the left. Hahn has been soliciting Righetti’s membership for seven years, and the deciding factor was the Operation Warm project last year, which provided coats for children at Harding Elementary School and several other schools in the city. Righetti said that after experiencing what Rotary does in the community, she knew she wanted to be involved in the organization.

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
The Raabe College of Pharmacy at Ohio Northern University sponsored a professional commitment white-coat ceremony in November. The ceremony is for third-year pharmacy majors. Eight 2011 high school graduates from the area participated. They are, from left, Lauren DePietro, Cardinal Mooney; Matthew Smaldino, Amanda Volosin and Danielle Petrus, all of Boardman; Adriana Sikora, Poland; Helena Ladd, Boardman; Pat Gayetsky, Poland; and Eric Sklenar, Mooney.

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
The Ursuline Center, 4280 Shields Road, Canfield, will sponsor its 7th annual Valentine’s Day Dinner at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 14. Chef Rich Herrera, above, owner of the Broad Street Diner in Canfield, will cater it. His daughter Paige is on the right, and on the left is Sue Ricciutti, a member of the Ursuline Center Planning Committee. Tickets are $25 and include dinner, dessert, drinks including wine, and entertainment by the Mahoning Valley Chorale Group under the direction of Kris Harper. Proceeds will benefit the center. To order tickets call Peggy Eicher at 330-792-7636. For information visit theursulinecenter.org.

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
The Youngstown Lions Club recently recognized members for their service with a Chevron Award from Tom Zickafoose, district governor. From left are Don Mathews, 25 years; Ron Serich, 10 years; and Pete Noll, 15 years. Bill Ruggles, last year’s president, received a patch for a successful year in 2012-2013. Other award recipients were George Kolesar, 15 years; Ron Smith, 25 years; and Bill Bennett, 30 years.

James Zehringer, director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, which regulates the oil and gas
industry in Ohio, was a guest speaker at a Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber luncheon. Also speaking
Thursday was Rick Simmers, ODNR’s chief of the division of oil and gas resource management.

Rhyan Pegues, a fifth-grader at Youngstown’s McGuffey Elementary School, and Paula Cipriano, a special-education teacher at the school who works with Legacy Dog Rescue, pose with Nessa, a dog Legacy found a new home for after Dr. John Owen, a Howland veterinarian, repaired her broken leg.

Youngstown State’s Monica Touvelle looks to pass around Wisconsin-Green Bay defender Mehryn Kraker (10) during a game Thursday at YSU’s Beeghly Center. Touvelle posted 15 points for the Penguins, who for the first time in school history downed the Phoenix at home, 66-57.

The Phantoms’ Kyle Connor takes a shot on goal during Saturday’s game against Team USA at the Covelli
Centre. Connor scored five points last weekend — a feat that earned him the USHL Forward of the Week Award.

Struthers Fire Chief Gary Mudryk can park only one fire engine inside the main fire station on Elm Street. The station, built in 1943, simply can’t support the weight of the city’s two engines, which are a combined 70,000 pounds. In 1943, one firetruck weighed about 15,000 pounds.

The 2014 Struthers girls basketball team is 9-3 overall and 3-1 in the All-American Conference American Division thanks to the efforts of three sets of sisters, including a pair of twins. They are, from left, McKenna Shives, Torre Smrek, Ashley Kane, Caitlin Kane, Halle Smrek, Karli Shives and Holly Kane.

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
Home Savings Charitable Foundation recently donated $10,000 to the YWCA of Youngstown to sponsor Women Artists: A Celebration! The art show helps the YWCA raise money for the Barbara Wick Transitional Housing Program. From left, Pamela Berry, director of Home Savings Charitable Foundation, presented the check to Leah Brooks, executive director of YWCA of Youngstown, and Varada Bhide, communications coordinator for the YWCA.

Rich Infante of Niles, at top, uses a cutting torch to dismantle part of the Wean United Building in downtown Youngstown. Crews have been working on demolishing the building since October. Above are the remains of the facility, where more than 1,300 people once came to work.

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Andrej Sustr is the first Youngstown Phantom to play in the NHL. The
23-year-old from the Czech Republic signed with the 2004 Stanley Cup champs last March as an undrafted
free agent.

Taylor Ervin-Williams, center, listens as MaryJo Hoso, a victim-witness advocate in Trumbull County, reads a statement to Judge Ronald Rice. Standing next to Ervin-Williams is Deputy Dominic Massary. Judge Rice sentenced Ervin-Williams to 41 years in prison on kidnapping and robbery charges Wednesday.

Members of the club presented a check to a sight-impaired member. They raised more than $3,000 last year to buy him specialized equipment, and the check was for the balance in the fund after the purchase. From left to right are Stein, Haren, Ted Filmer and Mike Austin.

Buck Wilder, also known as Tim Smith, tells about his style of writing and hiding objects in every page of his books. Smith visited Austintown Intermediate School on Tuesday to get the students excited about reading
nonfiction.

The Rev. John-Michael Lavelle, pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Niles, stands next to a sign promoting the winter festival this weekend. The church’s summer festival, a tradition for more than 80 years, inspired the January event to satisfy those summer food cravings.

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
Ballet Western Reserve students will take off their toe shoes and put on their aprons for the annual spaghetti dinner from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. The dinner will be served at St. Patrick Church Hall, 1420 Oak Hill Ave., Youngstown. Adult meals will cost $8, and children 12 and under and Youngstown State University students with identification will eat for $6. All funds raised will be used to enhance the ballet program throughout the year. Carryout will be available. Senior company dancers preparing for the dinner, in front from left, are Maeli Foley, Lily Gelfand and Jena Styka. In back are Halle Moran and Angie Phifer. Tickets are available in advance at BWR, 218 W. Boardman St., Youngstown, and will be sold at the door. Call 330-744-1934 for information.

Broncos WR Wes Welker crosses the goal line after a nine-yard touchdown catch against Chargers DB Darrell Stuckey in the second quarter of Sunday’s AFC division playoff in Denver. The Broncos held off the Chargers to win 24-17 and advance to the AFC championship against the New England Patriots.

Fitch senior thrower Gabby Figueroa has verbally committed to LSU. A two-time indoor state champion in the weight throw, she holds Ohio’s state indoor meet record in the weight throw and was also a state qualifier in both the shot put and discus at last year’s outdoor state meet.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick pantomines ripping open his shirt after scoring a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the third quarter of the NFC divisional playoff game Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. The 49ers won 23-10 to advance to the NFC championship against the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday in Seattle.

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
Home Savings Charitable Foundation recently donated $10,000 to the Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the funding arm of the chamber’s economic development division. The funds will be used to work with companies interested in expanding their businesses or locating in Trumbull and Mahoning counties. From left, Patrick Bevack, president and CEO of Home Savings, and Pamela Berry, director of Home Savings Charitable Foundation, presented a check to Thomas Humphries, president and CEO of the Regional Chamber, and Sarah Boyarko, vice president of economic development, North America, Regional Chamber.

William D Lewis The Vindicator Kaitlin Windt at Boardman HS 10-30-13. She is in a wheelchair and performs with the Boardman Marching band. She is shown with flagline members Alexis Perez, left, and Jessica Barone.

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
Girard Junior Women, seated from left, are Sue Ellen Harris and Collete Chuey; and standing are Marilyn Kobal, Roberta Lawrentz and Kathy Rossell, some of the volunteers for the annual bazaar in December. All proceeds are donated to the Girard community. Their next fundraiser will be a trunk and treasure sale in May. For information about this fundraiser or membership call 330-545-5962.

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
The Austintown Fitch Robotics Team, Falco Tech, received a generous donation for their competition expenses from the Rotary Club of Austintown at its Jan. 6 meeting. On the right is Mark Cole, Rotary president, who presented the check to robotics team members Eileen Yantes, left, Wes Pringle and Zack Venzio. The robotics team is sponsoring a Lego competition today at Austintown Middle School. The Rotary meeting’s speaker was Amanda Lynch of Impact for Animals, and special guest was Michael Shane, a former Fitch Interact Club president, who is involved in the food business in China.

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
Krystal Culler from Canine Companions for Independence spoke at a recent Canfield Rotary Club luncheon. She was accompanied by Patience V, a mix of golden retriever and Labrador retriever, who is a dog in training. Canine Companions is a nonprofit organization that provides highly trained dogs to help people with disabilities. The organization also runs the Wounded Veterans Initiative. Any veteran with physical disabilities resulting from military service may be eligible for an assistance dog free of charge. To volunteer or to raise a puppy, call CCI at 800-572-2275 or visit www.cci.org.

Howland ‘s Gabby Cvengros (22) and Sara Price (20) try to steal the ball off Fitch’s Cassie Custer as she goes to the basket during the first half of their game Thursday in Austintown. The Falcons downed the Tigers, 65-41.

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
OCCHA Inc., the Hispanic American Civic and Cultural Organization, hosted its 41st annual Three Kings Celebration on Jan. 4 at the OCCHA Hall, 3660 Shirley Road, Youngstown. Free lunches and toys were given to 180 low-income children. The Epiphany is celebrated in Latin American countries on Jan. 6. Gifts are given to the children, symbolizing the gifts given to baby Jesus. The event is sponsored in part by the Latin American Motorcycle Association Youngstown Chapter and private donations. Above, Leticia Vargas, 2, holds her gift at the celebration.

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
The Brookdale Elves, seniors from Clare Bridge Austintown and Sterling House Youngstown, provided hot chocolate to Salvation Army bell-ringers from Dec. 4 at various times and locations through the holiday season. Jo for the Road provided the hot chocolate at a discount. Above, from left, are Taylor and Raven, Salvation Army volunteers working in front of Walmart in Austintown, who were served hot chocolate by elves Dorothy Thomas and Marguerite Cronin. Below, Salvation Army volunteer Heather, left, is receiving her hot chocolate from Thomas in front of Giant Eagle, also in Austintown.

Ohio State’s Aaron Craft puts up a layup against Michigan State’s Adreian Payne during the first half of their NCAA basketball game Tuesday in East Lansing, Mich. The No. 5 Spartans edged the No. 3 Buckeyes, 72-68, in overtime.

Jimmy Clacko with the city of Youngstown’s traffic engineers department replaces a burned out bulb on a traffic signal at Delason and Oak Hill avenues on the South Side. Clacko said a lot of lights burn out due to cold weather.

Kerrie Smith of Warren and her son leave the Salvation Army on Franklin Street with coats and other items they
can use to get through the winter. They were among scores of people who came Monday morning to the giveaway, prompted by the bitter-cold temperatures coming to the Mahoning Valley this week.

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
St. Patrick School in Hubbard had its annual Christmas program and band concert for family and friends over the recent holiday season. Members of the school band in grades four through eight provided the sounds of the season, accompanying their classmates as they presented a nativity play and as each grade sang traditional carols and holiday songs. Some of the participants, from left to right, front, were Elizabeth Chrobak, Giavanna Hosack, Daniella Hosack and Camryn Ealy; and in back, Nate Wirtz and Robert Mild.

Ron Eiselstein, owner of The Village Pantry in Poland, which formerly was a post office. The structure on South Main Street is one of 75 with a historical-site marker given by the Poland Village Gardeners. The Village Pantry, below, is said to be where President William McKinley worked as a boy.

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
Fourth-graders at St. Joseph-Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Austintown show off the Christmas trees they made using their imagination and creating their own
ornaments. In front, from left to right are Peter Wolfe, Cadence Pounds, Trevor Saxton and Evan Madison. In back are teacher Melissa Chalker, Chase Pastor, Molly Burke, Connor Blazek, Allysa Leskovac, Lindsey Varso, Alaysia Griffin and Cameron Putteet.

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
The Youngstown Section of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc., met recently for its 5th Hats off to Seniors luncheon at McGuffey Center, 1649 Jacobs Road. A free lunch for seniors 70 and older was provided. Price Memorial AME Zion’s minister of music, Curtis Jones, provided the music. Those who attended played bingo, and door prizes were awarded. In the Hat Parade, the winner was Louise Adams, placing second was Daisy Carswell, and placing third was Rosebud Mason. Above, from left, are Yvonne Wilson, NCNW Youngstown Section president; the Rev. Walter Walker; Ronald Black; Thomas Tubbs; Mason; Carswell; and Adams. The organization, founded in New York City in 1935 by Mary McLeod Bethune, seeks to improve the quality of life for women and their communities with a major focus on literacy. For information visit www.ncnw.org.

This photo was taken the day after Thanksgiving and after the big snow in 1950 on the Westside of Youngstown on Midland Avenue at the home of the Schultz family. Jesse Loverich is in the picture. Submitted by Dorothy Schultz.

Jackie, Ray and Vincent Boila and Chris and Lauren Wilson are delighted with a day of fun on the slopes at Seven Springs. Submitted by Grandma Judy Wilson, who stayed warm in the ski lodge watching the little ones, Patrick Boila, 3, and Jack Wilson, 4 months.

You know you love your dogs when you are willing to shovel a path for them in the grass! Marianne Bernard's three dogs, Boo, Biddy and Banjo wait until she shovels around the whole yard so that they don't have to get stuck in the snow. Bernard lives in Youngstown.

From Kathy Miller: "In either December 1984 or January 1985, our third son, Tyler, was 7 or 8 months old and wanted to be with the older kids outside. They created the box on the sled and pulled him around the yard. My mother-in-law had made the little red winter jacket for Tyler. Friend and neighbor up the street on Creston in Boardman (we still live there) is Stephen Bupp and Tyler's older brother, Nathan, in beige/tan jacket dreamed up the box on a sled idea. I sent this to my family in an email as a quiz on Christmas asking who were in the picture and what year it was taken. It was hard to believe that no one got it right. The years have sure flown by."

David Dull is shown trekking through the snow in St. Joseph, Michigan. David was visiting his aunt and uncle for the annual Ice Festival in February 2012. Sixteen inches of lake-effect snow fell overnight. The photo was submitted by his mom, Marla Dull.

Ryan Thompson, now an eighth grade student at Springfield High School in New Middletown, is shown in January 2005, reminding us how much fun winter can be for children. Sent by Grandma Pat Shively of New Middletown.

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR:
The Morris and Phyllis Friedman Foundation donated $25,000 to the Animal Welfare League of Trumbull County in October. It was presented by Steve Friedman. In front, from left, are Ned Gold, Ali Patterson, Steven Friedman, Caryn Covelli and Dr. John Owen; in back are Barbara Busko, Mary Busko, Margie McCummins and Ellen Parker.

Special to The Vindicator: At Austintown trustees’ last meeting of the year, Joyce Pogany and Assistant Fire Chief Bill O’Hara were honored. Pogany was commended for leading the Wickliffe tree-lighting ceremony for the past 27 years, among other efforts, and O’Hara was recognized for playing Santa for many years. Beginning at far left are Trustees Jim Davis and Lisa Oles; Pogany; Trustee Rick Stauffer, whose year of service is up; O’Hara; and Laurie Wolfe, who was sworn in as fiscal officer while her family and friends watched.

Ethan Lanave, left, and Caleb Adams, fourth-graders at Damascus Elementary School, empty paper from a recycling bin at the school, which has won numerous recycling awards, including five U.S. Environmental Protection Agency WasteWise awards.

San Francisco inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman celebrates a fumble recovery against Arizona during a game in Glendale, Ariz. Bowman leads the defense for the 49ers (12-4), who open the playoffs with an NFC wild-card matchup at Green Bay on Sunday.

Nebraska wide receiver Quincy Enunwa catches a pass for a 99-yard touchdown reception in the second half of the Gator Bowl against Georgia on Wednesday in Jacksonville, Fla. The play — the longest in school history — gave the Cornhuskers the 24-19 win over the Bulldogs.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee ranking Republican, left, talks with committee member Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., on Capitol Hill in Washington. The U.S. is racing to keep pace with stepped-up activity in the once-sleepy Arctic frontier, but it is far from being in the lead.
Nations across the world are hurrying to stake claim to the Arctic’s resources, which might be home to 13 percent of the world’s undiscovered oil and 30 percent of its untapped natural gas.

Michigan State safety Kurtis Drummond, a Hubbard High graduate, trips up Stanford running back Tyler Gaffney during the first half of the Rose Bowl on Wednesday in Pasadena, Calif. The Spartans stopped the Cardinal, 24-20, to win their first Rose Bowl in 26 years.

Youngstown Councilman L. Nathaniel Pinkard, D-3rd, left, and Mayor John A. McNally participate in the annual Emancipation Proclamation and Installation Service at Price Memorial AME Zion Church in Youngstown. The Wednesday service dealt with the state of the black community 151 years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the historic document freeing slaves.